Roasted Jerk Chicken

Prepared in the oven, roasted jerk chicken is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. With easy-to-follow instructions, this recipe cooks in under an hour. Don’t let the simplicity fool you – this jerk chicken recipe is full of flavor! If you love jerk flavor, try our wet-marinated jerk shrimp tacos next!

What is Jerk?

Jerk tends to be associated with a distinct flavor profile. While Jamaican jerk seasoning often contains certain spices, the term describes a cooking method. “Jerking” refers to a Jamaican culinary technique of preparing food over an open flame.

The jerk flavor we’ve come to know and love comes from a surprising ingredient – pimento wood. Pimento trees are native to Jamaica and the wood of choice for building fires for cooking. And wouldn’t you know it? Pimento trees produce allspice berries (pimento seeds), one of the main ingredients in jerk seasoning. While the wood burns, the natural oils are released, and the smoke infuses the grilled meat with deep aromatics.

The result is smoky chicken with tender, juicy inside and crispy, flavorful outside. I attempt to achieve a similar effect by roasting jerk chicken in the oven.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Jerk Seasoning: I have included my recipe for homemade jerk seasoning. You can usually find ready-made dry jerk spice in grocery stores, farmers’ markets, or online. If you decide to make the homemade seasoning, it will last two months in a sealed mason jar. For this recipe, you only need two to four tablespoons, depending on the level of spice you prefer.
• Chicken: Use bone-in, skin-on-leg quarters, legs, or thighs. You can also roast a whole chicken if you prefer. However, you should adjust the cooking time accordingly. The safe cooking temperature for chicken is 165°F (73°C).

How to Make Your Own Jamaican Jerk Seasoning

Making your own jerk spice blend is easy, and because you’re preparing it at home, you can control the heat and the amount of salt used. Feel free to use store-bought jerk seasoning for the chicken, or you should try the spice blend we use.

Ingredients For Homemade Jerk Seasoning:

• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon coarse ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ tablespoon ground allspice (pimento seeds)
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme

Expert Tips

For details on how to cook the BEST chicken legs, read about how to bake chicken legs in the oven.

• Achieve crispy, golden-brown skin on your drumsticks by drying them thoroughly with a cloth to remove excess moisture before seasoning and roasting them. 
• Start by preheating the oven to 450°F (232°C), the same way you preheat a grill. Then, lower the temperature and roast the chicken at 400°F (204°C) for even cooking.
• Insert your food thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken drumstick. The safe cooking temperature for chicken is 165°F (73°C).
• Don’t skip resting the chicken! After cooking, let the chicken set for 10 minutes; this allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in juicy jerk chicken.

If you love this recipe, try one of these chicken favorites!  

Peruvian Chicken

Jamaican Chicken Fricassee

Tandoori Baked Chicken

BBQ Baked Chicken Legs

Can I Make This Recipe on the Grill?

Absolutely, in fact, it’s encouraged! If you can find pimento wood chips, that would take this recipe to the next level.
1. Preheat the grill by setting the burners on high for about 10 minutes.
2. Reduce the heat (set the burners to medium) and grill for 35 to 45 minutes turning occasionally until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (73°C).

Serving Suggestions

• Fruit: Air Fried Plantains, Grilled Pineapple
• Rice: Jamaican Rice and Peas, Rice Pilaf, Coconut Rice
• Vegetables: Mashed Cauliflower, Grilled Zucchini
• Sides: Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas, Vinegar Coleslaw, Roasted Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Southern Potato Salad
• Dip: Caribbean Hot Sauce, Mango Pico de Gallo

Frequently Asked Questions

More International Dinner Ideas:

• Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken
• Kedjenou
• Instant Pot Ropa Vieja
• Aloo Gosht